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¹bitter

adjective bit·ter \ˈbi-tər\

: having a strong and often unpleasant flavor that is the opposite of sweet

: causing painful emotions : felt or experienced in a strong and unpleasant way

: angry and unhappy because of unfair treatment

Full Definition of BITTER

a : being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion of hops — compare salt, sour, sweet

b : distasteful or distressing to the mind : galling <a bitter sense of shame>

: marked by intensity or severity:

a : accompanied by severe pain or suffering <a bitter death>

b : being relentlessly determined : vehement <a bitter partisan>

c : exhibiting intense animosity <bitter enemies>

d (1) : harshly reproachful <bitter complaints> (2) : marked by cynicism and rancor <bitter contempt>

e : intensely unpleasant especially in coldness or rawness <a bitter wind>

: expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret <bitter tears>

— bit·ter·ish \ˈbi-tə-rish\ adjective

— bit·ter·ly adverb

— bit·ter·ness noun

See bitter defined for English-language learners

See bitter defined for kids

Origin of BITTER

Middle English, from Old English biter; akin to Old High German bittar bitter, Old English bītan to bite — more at bite

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BITTER

Synonyms: acrid, acrimonious, embittered, hard, rancorous, resentful, sore

Antonyms: unbitter

Rhymes with BITTER

chitter, critter, fitter, flitter, fritter, glitter, hitter, jitter, knitter, litter, quitter, quittor, sitter, skitter, slitter, spitter, titter, twitter

²bitter

noun

bit*ters : a bitter alcoholic liquid that is used especially in mixed drinks

: a type of beer that has a slightly bitter flavor

Full Definition of BITTER

: bitter quality

a plural : a usually alcoholic solution of bitter and often aromatic plant products used especially in preparing mixed drinks or as a mild tonic

b British : a very dry heavily hopped ale

See bitter defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of BITTER

before 12th century

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

Rhymes with BITTER

fitter, flitter, fritter, glitter, hitter, jitter, knitter, litter, slitter, spitter, titter, twitter

³bitter

verb

Definition of BITTER

transitive verb

: to make bitter <bittered ale>

First Known Use of BITTER

12th century

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

⁴bitter

adverb

Definition of BITTER

: to a bitter degree <it's bitter cold>

First Known Use of BITTER

1749

BITTERLY Defined for Kids

bitter

adjective bit·ter \ˈbi-tər\

bit·ter·erbit·ter·est

Definition of BITTER for Kids

: sharp, biting, and unpleasant to the taste

: unhappy and angry because of unfair treatment <She was bitter toward her spoiled sister.>

: hard to put up with <a bitter disappointment>

: caused by anger, distress, or sorrow <bitter tears>

: very harsh or sharp : biting <a bitter wind>

— bit·ter·ly adverb <wept bitterly>

— bit·ter·ness noun

Medical Dictionary

bitter

adjective bit·ter \ˈbit-ər\

Medical Definition of BITTER

: being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion of hops—compare salt 2, sour, sweet

—bit·ter·ness noun